Prefect Shang, the Japanese pirates are likely to attack soon. Please ensure the city is well-guarded and prepared for defense. I have already dispatched fifteen light cavalry units to patrol and scout within a thirty-li radius (approximately 15 kilometers) outside the city. Additionally, I have set up fifteen simple signal beacon towers outside the city. When the Japanese pirates arrive, the beacon towers will be lit to signal the alarm. Here is a rough map of the beacon tower locations. Please assign dedicated personnel on the city walls to keep watch on the direction of the beacon towers. Once signal smoke is spotted, immediately urge the people outside the city to enter and close the gates.
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhu Ping’an spoke seriously to Prefect Shang, handing over a simplified map of the beacon tower locations. This was the main purpose of his visit to the prefect.
The outermost beacon tower was about thirty li from Suzhou. For people on foot, this distance would take at least two to three hours to cover, while on horseback, it would take about half an hour. Since the Japanese pirates lacked horses, they would have to travel on foot. The beacon towers could transmit messages very quickly. Once lit, thick black smoke would rise into the sky within minutes, visible from afar.
This would provide valuable warning time. If used wisely, this time could be used to gather the civilians and close the city gates, ensuring that the Japanese pirates could not achieve a surprise attack on the city.
“Signal smoke warning is an excellent idea. You’ve put a lot of thought into this, Zihou,” Prefect Shang said, nodding appreciatively as he took the map. “I will immediately assign dedicated personnel to keep watch on the beacon towers, so your efforts won’t go to waste.”
After giving the order to his officials, Prefect Shang and Zhu Ping’an continued their discussion on defending Suzhou against the Japanese pirates.
Prefect Shang explained that after receiving Zhu Ping’an’s warning two days ago, he had already ordered the reorganization of the city’s troops. He had also drawn a thousand soldiers from the local defense bureau to assist in the city’s defense. Provisions and military equipment were also fully prepared. Additionally, over five hundred city defense crossbows had been added to the city walls, and defensive equipment such as thunder stones and rolling logs were piled high.
“The Japanese pirates are fierce and cunning. They often send people to infiltrate the city in advance. During an attack or battle, these infiltrators suddenly strike to seize the city gates, coordinating with the Japanese pirates outside to breach the city. When defending the city, you must be especially careful of this tactic. Within a hundred meters of the city walls, unauthorized personnel should not be allowed near,” Zhu Ping’an shared his experiences from recent battles with the Japanese pirates, holding nothing back.
Zhu Ping’an spent nearly an hour at the Suzhou government office before finally taking his leave, escorted by Prefect Shang.
He hurriedly went to see Li Shu but didn’t even have time to eat. Under Li Shu’s resentful gaze, Zhu Ping’an had to leave quickly. The Japanese pirates could attack at any moment, and the Zhe Army’s camp at Maple Bridge couldn’t function without him.
“Brother Zhu, Zhu Ping’an, you must stay safe…” Li Shu stood at the door, supported by Hua’er and Qin’er, watching Zhu Ping’an’s hurried departure with a murmur.
As Zhu Ping’an returned to the Maple Bridge camp, the Japanese pirates at Tuolin Chuanshawa in Songjiang Prefecture were busy slaughtering pigs and sheep to feast the envoy sent by Wang Zhi.
The envoy sent by Wang Zhi was no ordinary figure. Wang Zhi had eight major fleet commanders, each leading a large fleet. The envoy this time was Ye Zongman, one of the eight fleet commanders, who had brought over five thousand Japanese pirates with him.
Ye Zongman was a veteran fleet commander under Wang Zhi. He had started as an armed smuggling merchant and had followed Wang Zhi early on.
In the open field, banners reading “Heaven-Sent Great General of the Pacific,” “Heaven-Sent Grand Marshal of the Pacific,” “Heaven-Sent Pillar of the Pacific,” and “Heaven-Sent Governor of the Pacific” fluttered in the cold wind.
Bonfires burned brightly, illuminating the field as if it were daytime. Roasted pigs and sheep sizzled over the flames, filling the air with the rich aroma of meat. Jars of fine wine were opened, their fragrance mingling with the smell of roasting meat.
Groups of Japanese pirates sat on the ground, clutching women they had seized, groping them freely as they feasted on meat and wine, reveling in their debauchery. Some Japanese pirates, unable to wait, pushed the women to the ground right then and there, indulging in their lust.
At the center of the bonfire feast was a table where Xu Hai, Ma Ye, Chen Dong, and Hojo Michizou, the major pirate chiefs of Tuolin, sat. Behind each of them stood two attractive maids pouring tea and wine.
Seated at the head of the table was Ye Zongman, representing Wang Zhi. Having brought five thousand Japanese pirates, he had earned the right to sit in the place of honor.
Ye Zongman was dressed in traditional Japanese pirate attire, with a samurai topknot and noble clothing. This style was partly out of habit—early in his smuggling career, he had disguised himself as a Japanese to avoid implicating his family—and partly in imitation of Wang Zhi, who also favored this attire.
“In just a few months, you’ve gathered over forty thousand troops. Truly impressive,” Ye Zongman said with a smile, praising Xu Hai and the others.
“Just average, just average,” Ma Ye, Chen Dong, and Hojo Michizou replied with proud smiles.
“Not at all, not at all. Compared to Wang Zhi, our efforts are just small-scale, hardly worth mentioning,” Xu Hai replied modestly, his expression calm.
“No need to be humble. Forty thousand troops is no small feat. When Wang Zhi heard of your achievements, he gave you a thumbs-up and specifically asked me to convey his praise,” Ye Zongman said, patting Xu Hai on the shoulder and giving him and the others a thumbs-up.
Ma Ye, Chen Dong, and Hojo Michizou beamed with pride, while Xu Hai clasped his hands toward Ligang and expressed his gratitude to Wang Zhi, vowing to continue their efforts.
“Ah, Xu Hai, you’ve grown up. You’ve become so mature and steady,” Ye Zongman said, patting Xu Hai on the shoulder again. “Over a decade ago, your uncle and I took advantage of the loosening of the imperial maritime ban to build ships and go overseas to do business. Later, your uncle brought you on board. Back then, you were just a young bald-headed kid, full of youthful vigor. Because of a misunderstanding, you even tried to assassinate Wang Zhi. Thankfully, Wang Zhi was magnanimous, and with your uncle’s persuasion, the matter was dropped. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed, and you’ve grown so much, so mature and steady.”
“Back then, I was young and ignorant, misled by villains into committing the foolish act of offending Wang Zhi. Thinking back now, I deeply regret it. Fortunately, Wang Zhi was magnanimous, with a tolerance as vast as a prime minister’s, and gave me a chance to start anew,” Xu Hai said with a bitter smile, again clasping his hands toward Ligang.
“Seeing your maturity and steadiness, seeing Brother Ma, Brother Chen, and Brother Hojo with their commanding presence, and seeing the talented people under your command, I know that your raid on Suzhou will surely end in a great victory. This cup of wine is my early congratulations to you,” Ye Zongman said, raising his cup to Xu Hai and the others.
“Thank you for your auspicious words, Leader Ye,” Xu Hai and the others raised their cups in unison.
